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November 6, 2006

GreeneHousers Spruce Up Corner Lot

garden
On Saturday, some residents of the GreeneHouse Condominium chipped in to turn a neighboring vacant lot into an Asian-inspired garden. The garden was designed by Jonathan Truong and planted by a group of volunteers. And guess who picked up the tab? The sponsors. GMAP

Comments

They could spruce is up by taking a wrecking ball to the too-tall fence and make it public space.

Posted by: Clinton Hillster at November 6, 2006 10:23 AM

Swing that same recking ball a little higher and knock down some of that Greene Street building's hight.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 10:32 AM

Rather ironic, that same space was an established community garden with mature trees, honeysuckle, perennials etc. before they built the "greenehouse" on the vacant lot adjacent to the community garden. Is the above picture during the planting phase? Looks pretty scrubby - plus most of the plants are still in their plastic containers. I assume it is not finished yet.

Posted by: lp at November 6, 2006 11:50 AM

This picture was taken after most of the plants were delivered but none of them were placed in beds. Yesterday about half were planted. The rest should be planted next week. Next the back wall will get a trellis and in the center there will be a pergola with furniture. . .all slated to be in place within the next few weeks.

Over time, hopefully it will be as lush as the old community garden was. It's a shame they destroyed the original garden and used the lot to dump construction debris. Given that it is private property it can't be open to the public (imagine the liability) but we'd like to have it on the Fort Greeene Garden Tour next year.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 12:08 PM

Was any chance given to the owners of the adjoining house on Adelphi to repair the base of the side wall before the landscoaping started? I'd hate to see the garden have to be disrupted after it matures to fix that wall.

Posted by: jim Irons at November 6, 2006 1:40 PM

Of course it can be opened to the public. There are many private spaces open to the public. Of course no need to do since there is a park nearby.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 2:05 PM

Sure, any place can be open to the public, but many places aren't, like an apartment building's courtyard or a brownstone's back yard. The condominium would have to foot the bill for the increased liability insurance, and pay to bring the space up to code as a public park, and that's unlikely to happen.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 2:36 PM

2:05 needs an urban planning lesson. Yes, there is a park nearby. Even with the plantings, a fenced in corner like that one is atrocious; it kills the corner. The corner is almost as bad as the concrete and glass block sterile retaining wall they choose for the base of the building. Skylines are defined by buildings, but streetscapes are defined by public spaces. Greenehouse should be a good neighbor.

Posted by: Clinton Hillster at November 6, 2006 2:45 PM

this space is not a courtyard or a backyard. It is clearly undesigned, leftover space that the developer imposed upon the neighborhood. As a community we should be demanding that developers adhere to the most basic neighborhood structure...corners that are designed, safe, and active. High metal fences do not meet any of these requirements.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 2:55 PM

I live in the building, and we took it upon ourselves to do this work, rather than leave the lot as a pile of rubble. We are trying to make the best of a bad situation. Most of the people walking by the garden yesterday seemed very happy that we were fixing up the eyesore left by the developers.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 2:59 PM

The neighbors certainly DO appreciate the improvement. Thanks!

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 3:06 PM

Thank you. It is a good thing that the residents took it upon themselves to do this. I know that you did not personally build the condo building or take down the community garden, so I think you are making the best of the situation. Well done for the initiative and I hope it grows nicely!

Posted by: lp at November 6, 2006 3:26 PM

I think it's the same developer for the Clinton Court that was discussed earlier in this blog.
It seems that he is not fully committed to deliver a well product after he cashed out from the condos.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 3:52 PM

After all that have been said and done regarding the Greene House Condos on this blog, I feel sorry for those that still resent the fact that there is a condo built on an empty lot that was onced filled with trash and rubble. I hope that those people don't go to bed with their partner feeling resentful and full of spite. As a member of the community and of the Greene House Condos, I have seen and talked to many that are opposed to the Condo as well as those that are happy to see a vacant lot turned into a beautiful garden and welcoming the residents with warmth. I doubt that the garden will be "atrocious", it is part of the community and we all should respect that. As for the blogger who mentioned swinging the wrecking ball on the Condo itself-how will you feel if someone said that your home should be demolished?

Posted by: JT at November 6, 2006 5:17 PM

I live on the next block. We are happy you are all taking part in our community. It is OUR community -- not ours and theirs. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD! The fact that people (myself included) woudl have preferred the developer to have done a better architectural plan for the exterior doesn't mean we have anything at all against our new neighbors. One of the most amazing thing about Fort Greene is that it inspires people to get involved and make the community an even better place. You don't need to take a vote on whether people like what you are doing with your building. You are obviously doing what you think is best for the area. One question though...do you guys have to go through landmarks to get stuff done on your building or are you exempt because the site wasn't landmarked. I always wondered how that works. Keep up the fixing up. Clearly the developers had no clue about landscaping.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 5:52 PM

Nobody here hates the residents, most just wish for better developers and architects.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 6, 2006 5:57 PM

2:05 here. My point was that there is no need for a public park there given the amenity across the street. I agree with the poster who told me I needed a lesson in urban planning (where? in the wood shed? you and how many urban planners? Please honey keep it civil.) that an empty spot at a corner adds little. In my opinion it would have been better to maintain the street wall. I have a similar feeling about the "community garden" on Dekalb across from Fort Greene Park. It would be better to develop it and use the tax moneys to support true public parks.

Posted by: putnam-denizen at November 7, 2006 7:45 AM

Re landmarks: We haven't had to go through any landmark review. The lot was exempt, which is how the developers were able to build a high-rise among the brownstones. I would assume, and hope, that any new construction on our property would be reviewed by the comission.

In the spring we plan to work on the tree boxes surrounding the building, and I'm sure there will be regulations we'll have to follow.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 7, 2006 9:33 AM

I walked by the plot on the way to voting today. I like the new trees. Thanks Greenehousers. That gate with a shiny padlock looks mighty tempting.

Posted by: Clinton Hillster at November 7, 2006 10:28 AM

I live around the corner and I'm thrilled with the improvements -- thanks, Greenhouse folks. Was the gate mandatory? It's my only complaint, ugly from the outside and probably the inside too.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 5:11 PM

If anyone is in that building, could please lobby to change the new outdoor lighting? Stalag 17 had more ambiance.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 8, 2006 5:22 PM

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November 6, 2006

GreeneHousers Spruce Up Corner Lot

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